Are you finding it tough being away from home? If so, you are certainly not alone, with many university students throughout the world going through the same predicament. For many people, going off to university is their first taste of life away from the nest, and it can be a daunting prospect. However, there are ways to get you through any unhappy period while you adjust to living by yourself.
Keep Busy
Taking your mind off the problems by keeping busy is only going to help you overcome your homesickness. Joining university clubs, grabbing a coffee with friends, and attending your lectures are all fantastic ways to prevent you from dwelling on any issues. Finding the perfect balance between your studies and your social life is crucial for you to adapt to your new surroundings. Make sure you focus hard when it is time to work and go out of your way to keep occupied when it is your downtime.
Keep in Touch
When you are homesick, it is easy to shut yourself away and not want to speak to the people back home. However, this is the worst thing you can do, and you will only really get over your homesickness by embracing the change. It is so easy to keep in touch with people these days, so you can easily send a quick text message or a photo for everyone to see. That said, don’t overdo it. You should be forging your own life away, so start by making contact every couple of days. As time progresses, this gap will naturally widen as you get used to your new surroundings.
Take Time for Yourself
Self-care is essential at any stage, but even more so during a challenging period of your life. Your mental and physical health are intrinsically linked, so eating a balanced diet, getting some exercise, and sleeping well will all help you cope. If you find yourself struggling mentally, most universities have councilors you can speak to, while practices like yoga and meditation can help ease your woes.
Be Patient
Time is the ultimate healer. It may not seem like it at the moment, but soon you will become used to being away from home, and not give it a second thought. Before you make any rash decisions, always think about the future and if it will help the situation. Give everything a few weeks, and you will probably feel very different.
Have a Few Things That Remind You of Home
When you leave to go to university, grab a few of your favorite possessions that remind you of home, and keep them on display in your room. The familiarity of a few items will make you feel much more comfortable in your new surroundings and will make the adjustment that much easier. It could be anything from a favorite soft toy to your blanket at home. Anything that makes for a smoother transition is going to help you in the long run.
It is always worth remembering that you are not the only person to suffer from homesickness when they go to university. You will probably find that others in your classes are going through the same thing, so it benefits everyone to reach out and make some new friends. With time, you will come to adjust and embrace your new life. However, your family is always only a phone call away.